Getting Started: Students

Increasing numbers of UW Bothell students are studying abroad. Why not be one of them? To get started, you’ll want to think about what you want to get out of the experience, where you want to go, and for how long.

Why Study Abroad?

Spending a part of your university experience abroad will expand your understanding of the world and help you develop global skills – adaptability, intercultural communication, learning on the fly, etc. – that are in high demand by employers and graduate programs. For many students, studying abroad is a transformational experience. Read about Muhammed's experience applying and studying abroad.

"Reflecting on these experiences, I have learned that anything is possible. It started off with a dream to study abroad. If I hadn’t applied to that program and had the guts to say goodbye to my home and hop on that one-way plane to Japan, these experiences would have been deemed impossible… Seeing different countries, cultures, meeting people from all walks of life, it has expanded my world but also in some ways, shrank it."
-- Aspasea McKenna, Class of 2013, Junior year abroad in Japan

To begin

Define your academic goals and objectives first. While it's easy to imagine the best way to choose your program based on location, it is also important to consider other factors such as:

Academics

Do you want to study a specific subject while abroad?

Do you need to satisfy degree requirements while abroad or do you prefer to take elective courses of personal interest to you?

Duration

What quarter, semester or year might be best for your graduation plan?

Are you flexible about the timing of your study abroad program?

How long can you be gone for?

Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor to discuss the specific credits you need in order to complete your degree.

Location

How important is the program's location to your decision to study abroad?

Are you interested in destinations in the developing world or the more developed parts of the globe?

How do you define your travel comfort zone and how far are you willing to push your boundaries?

Important note: international undergraduate students in the U.S. on a student visa cannot study in their home country through the UW Study Abroad Office. For more information, contact uwbworld@uw.edu.

Career

Do you want internship experience while you're abroad?

Do you want to expore an international workplace environment?

Language

Do you want or need to take courses in a language other than English while abroad?

Do you want to take courses taught exclusively in English?

Accommodations

Can you adapt well to new environments?

Residence halls, homestays, shared or studio apartments are options available to students depending on the program

Start your research

Utilize our website to see what programs are offered during a set time. A number of different study abroad program options are available that vary in location, purpose and duration. All approved programs earn academic credit towards degree completion and are eligible for financial aid and scholarships. If you are unsure about what program is right for you, read about the Types of Programs offered at UW.

Be sure to know to participation requirements before applying. Identifying logistical and financial constraints will also help you narrow down your program choices.

Application Process

The most important tip in applying for a study abroad experience is to plan ahead. Planning two quarters ahead of when you want to go abroad will give you the best options in terms of programs and funding opportunities.

Consider the following:

Do you meet the program's eligibility requirements?

Do you have any personal needs that require special accommodations or consideration?

Do you have degree requirements that might limit your options (e.g. program duration, timing)?

Once you’ve identified a program, you can click the "apply now" button! Most programs require you to fill out an application, obtain references from your recommender(s), submit academic transcripts, and write a statement of purpose.

With good planning, financial aid and external scholarships can help cover the additional costs associated with study abroad. When calculating the costs of a study abroad program, it's important to consider the program's duration, the number of credits you can expect to receive, and any other expenses the program includes/exludes.

Does the program fee include housing, food, transportation, and books?

The costs of airfare, passport, visa, and insurance are typically not included in study abroad program fees.

If you have your eye on a semester-long program, to calculate a more accurate price comparison, multiply your UW expenses by 1.5.

Meet with study abroad advisors

There are several resources at UW Bothell and UW Seattle to help you plan a successful study abroad experience. Once you've narrowed down your options to a few programs or locations, schedule an appointment to discuss your selections and ask specific questions.